MID Cheshire College has ‘turned a corner’, says interim principal Val Bailey following the third monitoring visit by Ofsted since it was judged to be inadequate last year.

Ofsted said the college was making reasonable progress after visiting last month, a visit which focused on the implementation of the improvement plan, improving outcomes for learners and quality improvement.

Val has been in charge since June 2016 after replacing college principal Richard Hollywood.

The college achieved the top Ofsted rating of outstanding in all areas following an inspection in 2008.

However that rating had fallen to inadequate, the lowest of the ratings, in all but one of the areas looked at by Ofsted, following an inspection in January 2016.

Val said of the latest monitoring visit report: “Ofsted have recognised and acknowledged the many changes we have made for the better at Mid Cheshire College.

“We are dedicated to ensuring all of our learners reach their full potential, and are pleased that Ofsted has endorsed many of the steps we are taking to achieve that goal.

“We are pleased that the monitoring visit report highlights that the quality of teaching, learning and assessment has improved in many curriculum areas.

“We are continuing on our journey of improvement and will support our staff to ensure that every learner on every course, has the best possible opportunity to achieve.”

“This is great news. Mid Cheshire College has turned a corner, and we are now looking forward to welcoming new students to the college in September.

“There will be free buses to the college, starting this September. Come along to our next open day on Saturday, March, 11, from 11am to 2pm, to find out more.”

In his report, lead inspector Steve Hailstone said: “Leaders and senior demonstrate a clear ambition to improve standards.

“Since the last monitoring report they have made progress in implementing more rigorous arrangements to improve staff performance and the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.

“Managers and teachers have begun to change the culture of the college and promote higher expectations of what learners can achieve.

“Learners’ attitudes towards their studies and the pride they take in their work have improved on most courses.

“Instances of low-level disruption are now isolated rather than endemic.”

He added that improvements in the quality of provision in some of the weakest-performing areas, particularly in engineering and construction, were too slow.